Basket Full of Stamps

Happy Independence Day!

I didn't send out Fourth of July cards this year, but I thought it might be fun to post some cards from previous Indpendence Days.  ENJOY!!

2006

2007

2008

Summer Bella fashions

 
I have been organizing some of my papers and looking through my scraps lately. The last few cards I made used all scraps (except for the card base) and I've been going through my wish-RAK images using those as well. Coordinating papers is a little difficult using this method but it's nice to use up what I have and see what I can come up with. This card came together in a matter of minutes - simple but nice. I can add a sentiment later. 

I also have been organizing my card box. It is really crazy, but I have about 40-50 cards on hand to give out whenever. I'm almost all out of baby cards and only one wedding one - but otherwise, I'm good to go if a holiday or occasion arrises.  :)

I just received back two sets of ATC swaps -- one was a Bella swap and the other was a coffee swap. Both were really cool!  The Bella one was probably the nicest swap I've ever gotten - lots of talented ladies. One artist actually knitted a mini blanket for her ATC using toothpicks! WOW - talk about mega talent! That one impressed me the most but truthfully, they were all knockouts. These are the kinds of swaps that make me want to join up again!

I didn't make Fourth of July cards this year, but I might post one for the blog. Or maybe I'll look and see if I have a really old Fourth card that I've never posted online before.  Check back tomorrow!

STAMPS: Sistahoodabella(Stamping Bella) CARDSTOCK: Only Orange, Pixie Pink, Pink Passion, Jersey Shore DP, white INK: Palette Hybrid Noir, asst. SU markers EXTRAS: Prima flowers, RR brads (SU), scallop edge punch, aquapainter.

Arrrg - it's a pirate card!

Nothing much to say today - just made a cute little pirate card from some wish-RAK images I received in the mail recently. I tried to make a scruffy face for the little guy - more like a real pirate. And I need to look up what a real parrot should look like - are they red or can they be any color? I didn't want to make him red since the pirate had so much red. And the paper scraps I found seemed to fit perfectly. The Rock Star DP I had sort of looks like tattoos, which somehow fits a pirate theme, right?

 
STAMPS: Ahoy, Matey & Sanded BG (SU) CARDSTOCK: Brocade Blue, Creamy Caramel, Basic Black, white, Rock Star DP, red DP (Cosmo Cricket - don't remember what line - possibly Dutch Girl) INK: Palette Hybrid Noir, asst. SU Markers EXTRAS: Riding Hood Red striped ribbon, 1" & 1 1/4" circle punches, aquapainter, pirate charms (Archiver's $1.99 spot).

Friendship Quilt

Originally, I was going to make a quilted birthday card for my mom but she told me she liked watercolor flower cards best, so since I was only 1/2 way done with her card, I scrapped it and made her what she wanted. Later I thought I'd make this paper quilt into a friendship card to keep on hand for whenever.

I used the colors from a challenge about 2-3 weeks ago (SCS challenge). So see, I do start things early, but it just takes me a while to finish stuff lately. ;)

Yesterday I received some wish-RAKs of Ahoy, Matey images. I am putting a pirate card together tonight (probably while watching The Bachelorette). It might be a future birthday card for one of my nephews...

STAMPS: Quilted Sampler (PaperTrey) CARDSTOCK: So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie DP, Bashful Blue, white INK: Palette Hybrid Burnt Umber, asst. SU markers EXTRAS: Bashful blue striped ribbon, scallop edge punch (SU), aquapainter.

Justice Monkey Birthday Card

My daughter, Mallory, *loves* the clothing store, Justice. It has lots of sparkly, sequin & brightly colored clothing and they also have a lot of clothing with their logo monkey (my niece told me his name is Black Jack). Lately, whenever Mallory has been invited to a birthday party, I've been giving Justice gift cards. Because if their daughter is anything like mine, they love shopping there. Even if the sparkly outfits aren't their style, they have fun flip flops, comfy pjs & slippers, swim suits, cover-ups, jewelry & even Webkinz. Bascially, it's a nightmare trying to drag my daughter OUT of that store!

Mallory's friend is turning 6 and her party is today and I tried to make the card match the gift card. The monkey is fairly easy to replicate - just a bunch of circles and ovals. I used my ol' Creative Memories circle & oval cutter to make the head & mouth oval and the rest were made using Stampin' Up punches (or freehand- like the mini mouth & tongue). The card seemed like it needed something else, so I added the yellow ribbon on top. At the last party, the little girl didn't even notice the card (it was 3x3, so I'll cut her some slack ;) - but this time I'm putting the gift card INSIDE the card so they won't miss it this time!  There's also a jumbo size box of Skittles in there - gotta fill up the bag a little bit.

STAMPS: Happy Birthday to You & Love You Much (SU) CARDSTOCK: Yo Yo Yellow, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Basic Black & white INK: Pink Passion EXTRAS: White Sharpee marker, pink striped ribbon (Making Memories), yellow polka dot ribbon (Offray), 1", 3/4", 1/2" circle punches (SU), 3" Circle & 1 1/4" Oval cutter (Creative Memories).

Mom's Joyful Birthday cards

My mom's birthday is tomorrow and here is the card I made for her (watercolor flowers, per her request). I used my oldie, but goodie, Happy Harmony, to make this card and then I used it to make her some watercolor notecards (below - the paper is Fabrino Notecards that is exclusively used for watercoloring). I loosely followed Taylored Expressions sketch challenge (let's just say I did 3 of the 4 layers) for the birthday card. For the notecards, my mom does not like me to use lots of embellishments because it costs extra to mail them (that is pesky, but sometimes ribbon is necessary!) I packaged them in a clear envelope and pink grosgrain ribbon.

I need to make another birthday card for my daughter - she has been invited to yet another birthday party! This girl's social calendar is full!  I think I'll use a color challenge to start off my card -- maybe I'll get in some stamping today while my husband sleeps and the kids watch tv. :)

BIRTHDAY CARD
STAMPS: Happy Harmony & sentiment (SU) CARDSTOCK: Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink DS, white, Certainly Celery INK: Pretty in Pink, Cameo Coral, Blush Blossom, Certainly Celery EXTRAS: Spellbinder's nestabilities (for scallops), Sweet Blush polka dot ribbon (PaperTrey), pink brads (SU), paper piercing kit, sponge daubers.

NOTECARDS
STAMPS: Happy Harmony & incentive stamp (SU), CARDSTOCK: Fabrino Notecards INK: Cameo Coral, Blush BLossom, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery EXTRAS: Stickles (icicle), clear envelope, pink grosgrain ribbon (SU).

Polka Dot Birthday

  
My daughter had a birthday party to go to and so I made a card to match. Nothing crazy - just a plain ol' polka dot 3x3 card to go in her mini-gift-card bag (seen peeking in the left corner).

She gave it to her friend this afternoon and after picking up Mallory, I asked her what her friend thought of the gift card and mini stamped card. She said she liked the gift card but didn't open the mini card. I said, why not? She claims she didn't see it and then her mom threw it away!  How tragic is that?  I spent an entire 20 minutes making that thing!!  :)

I finished my mom's birthday card but I won't post that until tomorrow or Monday. I also am 1/2 way done with a color challenge card! I've been in a crafty mood lately, which is nice since I feel like I've been away from my craft area for like a month!

STAMPS: Seeing Spots & Bitty Birthday (SU), Faux Ribbon (PaperTrey) CARDSTOCK: Pink Passion, white & Pretty in Pink patterned paper INK: Pink Passion, Tuxedo Black (Memento), asst. SU markers EXTRAS: Polka dot ribbon (Making Memories), Stickles (yellow), aquapainter, sponge dauber, small oval punch.

Batter Up! Father's Day Cards

 
Here's a little something to chuckle over - for the last two weeks, I thought this coming Sunday was Father's Day. I was planning my Father's Day meal, wrapping gifts, making cards, etc. Come to find out that it's a week from this Sunday!  So now I'm a little ahead of the eight ball on a few things for a change.

I used a baseball card from each pro MLB team to color each batter. Because my husband, dad and FIL all like baseball, I decided to make the same card but personalize it to each guy's team preference. 

 
How do you like the finished product??  I did them all a bit different but kept the sketch the same. Think anyone can match up each card with the favorite baseball team?? Let's hear your guesses below. I'll send a card to whomever gets the right answer.  :)

STAMPS: Take Me Out to the Ballgame, Sporting (SU), sentiment (Hero Arts) CARDSTOCK: Night of Navy, Ruby Red, Garden Green, Summer Sun, white INK: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Ruby Red, Night of Navy, Going Grey, Summer Sun, Garden Green, Creamy Caramel  EXTRAS: Riding Rood Red taffeta ribbon, green striped ribbon, sponge daubers, aquapainter.

Little crafting detour

Hello all - I have not fallen off the face of the earth. Just been busy with a few other things - such as a major garage sale (preparing, pricing, participating and then cleaning up afterward); doing a few end-of-school year activities for/with my kids; my daughter's dance recital; a family funeral; selling a few choice things that didn't sell at my garage sale on ebay; and well, sometimes when you're out of the craft-creative mode for a while, you just lose your mojo!

But, I'm back and here's what I created when I was absent from my blog.

Teacher's End of Year Gift (the school's mascot is a rocket) 
(formerly was the May Day basket gift, but I forgot to give it to my children on May 1st!)
FYI: The rocket was wish-RAKed to me, so I don't know the company that makes it (sorry). But the sentiment is from Paper Trey's "Teacher's Apple". 


 
My BFF's birthday card(s) - I made the 3x3 cupcake one in advance but then thought I should also make a regular size one too. FYI: I like that little SU leaf die-cut but it's a PAIN to "punch out" after it's cut. Stamps & die cut are SU - the frames are nestabilities (spellbinders). 

 

Happy Mother's Day

Just sending out a Happy Mother's Day to my mom and all my blog readers who are moms. :)  These are the cards I made for my mom and mother-in-law.  If you post a comment, let me know which version you like more.  Enjoy your day!